backtalk.

Dear Editor: I am personally sick of hearing Michael Stipe...

April 25, 1995

Dear Editor: I am personally sick of hearing Michael Stipe (of R.E.M.) be harassed about 'The's gay." Who cares? If he is, that's his choice. I'm not a homosexual fan or anything, but this is pathetic. Just pay attention to his lovely voice. Not his sexual preference. Oceania, 13, Long Grove

I'm writing in response to Vincent H. God made dolphins and people. He doesn't want either to die. You have no right to yell at Monica M., because she can think one thing and you can think the other. So don't tell her what to think. People and dolphins are special. Michelle K., 9 Chicago

I am currently a brown belt at U.S.A. Karate and have come a long way in life in a great way. The way I have learned to deal with life is through discipline, self control, modesty, integrity, perseverance, courtesy, understanding, spirit and self-direction.

I learned that life is not worth living if you aren't happy, and I found happiness with karate. Brian D., 13 Carol Stream

Bus drivers' license?

Do bus rules apply to everyone on the bus, including the driver? If so, then some drivers need to wake up and smell the coffee about the no-smoking rule. If there is a clearly labeled sign that I can see, why can't the driver? Certain drivers ignore the rule and smoke on the bus.

I think this is sending a very bad message to the kids on the bus. Some kids will see the driver smoking and think it's an OK thing to do when they are adults. If the driver was to drop his cigar, he could get the bus in an accident while he is looking for the cigar. In this way he is putting all the passengers in danger. Emily S., 12 Hanover Park

Foul play

The "Play it Loud" Gameboys (April 11 Cover) are only supposed to be different because of the color (and the case). If you want to play it loud, hook the earphones up to a stereo and crank it up to full blast. (It works!) "Play it Loud" is just Nintendo's slogan. Alexander F., 11 Blue Island

No place to visit

In your March 28 issue (Playing Around), you had an article on Alcatraz prison. The kids who wanted to spend a night there are sick! I've read articles and seen pictures of Alacatraz and it was not a pretty place.

"Murder in the First," starring Kevin Bacon was filmed at Alcatraz where (the character Bacon plays) was sent for life after taking $5 from a bank in a general store. Alcatraz might be a nice place to visit, but the things that went on inside were not. Beth M., 13 Bensenville

'Life' will live on

I was reading your April 11 KidNews (Cover) and I am really happy that "My So-Called Life" is on MTV all week. In practically every magazine for teens there have been messages that say, "Write us to save 'My So-Called Life.' " My personal opinion is that it will be on this fall. B.L., 13 Palos Heights

Barney a thief?

This may be off the subject, but Barney is a big scam. He does not deserve the title as an educational show star.

"Barney is the dinosaur of our imagination..." Excuse me, but doesn't that sound like the good old "Yankee Doodle went to town riding on a pony..."? And what about "I love you, you love me..."? I certainly think that this sounds similar to "this old man, he played one..." Is this what we want to teach the next generation of kids - to steal? David H., 12 Skokie

Dolphin defenders

I'm writing in response to Vincent H. (April 11 Backtalk). I realize that people made dolphin-safe nets, but since when does that make us smarter? All we humans are doing is correcting our wrongdoings. Dolphins have better eyesight, breathing power and hearing than us. Plus, they don't pollute or destroy the planet. (Ever see a dolphin throwing a package on the ground? I don't think so.) Erin L., 15 Woodstock

I'm writing in response to Vincent H. I know you are just expressing your opinion, but your opinion is totally wrong. You do not call someone an idiot just because their opinion is different from yours. As for the dolphins, I have done a lot of research on them, and they are smarter.

They might not be able to walk on land, use computers and so forth, but if they could talk and understand English, they could beat most people in an intelligence test.

If your teacher said kids are more important than dolphins, your teacher is very self-centered. Dolphins were on this Earth long before we came along. They have more right to be here than you or I. Now, next time think again before you go burning my dolphins. Kim L., 12 Woodstock

Have mercy

I am writing in response to Ben H. (March 7 Backtalk). I totally disagree with what you're saying. Have you ever thought about what the people on welfare feel like? Have you ever thought that you could be on it one day?

Well, I know a lot of people on welfare and some happen to be family members. And one person is pregnant at a young age. If she doesn't have a job, lives with her dad, what else can she do? Live on the streets? Parents have their own families to support and can't often support their kids' kids.